Title: Myconean Blue
By: Valerie
Summary: It's a special anniversary and it should be celebrated in a special place. Gil takes Nick onto a vacation to paradies.
Pairing: Gil/Nick & OMC/OMC
Rating: FRAO

"Please gentlemen, your room"

Grissom watched as Nick looked around the hotel room and he couldn't help wondering what his lover saw. Did he notice the subtle luxury of the room, did he see the ancient vase and the paintings on the wall, did he notice how the sun streamed in painting making the white walls shine? Or did Nick only notice that the room was smaller than most of the hotel rooms they had seen in Vegas?

With a smile and some coins he thanked the attendant who had brought their luggage and went back to watching Nick. His lover had opened the windowed doors and stepped onto the terrace. Grissom heard a gasp and following the sound stepped outside too.

Their terrace wasn't large but it was big enough for two deck chairs and a small table, cozy looking with the olive trees planted in pots on the side and very much secluded. Grissom nodded silently, he had asked for a quiet and secluded room knowing that Nick got embarrassed at the thought of someone hearing them during their love making.

"You have to see this!"

Nick's voice was full of awe and walking over Grissom slowly came to stand right behind him and finally saw what Nick meant: spread out at their feet was the Aegean Sea. Glittering in a rich dark blue which turned lighter until it shimmered in the brightest turquoise right at the beach. He had asked for a sea view but not in his brightest dreams had he imagined their room to have such a wonderful view. In the evening light, with the sun slowly setting, the white walls of their hotel and the other houses seemed to gleam and Grissom savored the beauty of the island, felt how the dark clouds over his mood lifted and smiling relieved he stepped closer to Nick and pulled his lover against his body.

"What do you think?"

Nick leaned against him; let him carry his weight and the trust behind that simple gesture affected Grissom more than he would ever be able to say in words.

"It's wonderful... But Gil it is too much..."

Nick had told him that from the very moment, Grissom had driven them to the airport in Vegas, had insisted that he didn't need to be spoiled, but Grissom had just smiled and kissed him. He did it now too, but as they moved apart, he did something else too. He finally gave Nick the truth.

"It's not too much."

Nick must have heard the seriousness in his voice, because he moved out of Grissom's arms and looked at him. Grissom could feel the dark eyes on his body and reaching out, needing the connection with his lover, he continued quietly.

"It's almost a year that I nearly lost you. I wouldn't have been able to go on without you, I know that now."

Seeing that Nick wanted to say something, he shook his head.

"Let me finish, please... It was your love that showed me what it means to be alive, without you… It would not have had a meaning anymore."

Nick had paled, but he had regained his composure and with a shiver he pulled Grissom towards him. This time it was Grissom who was the one being held and with a sight he listened to the steady beat of Nick's heart, felt the rhythmic breath on his skin.

"I won't disappear, Gil."

Nick's voice was gentle, tender and full of love.

"I am not an image of your fantasy. I am real."

He had stopped counting how many times in the last couple of months, Nick had told him this. This time though, this time though it was different and Grissom leaned in, moved closer and captured Nick's lips with his own. Soft met soft and slowly, almost as if this was their first kiss, Grissom traced Nick's lips with his tongue and even the moment, when Nick granted him access felt as if it were the very first time. Nick's body was in his arms, warm and solid, his lips were locked with his and they both were covered in sunlight, the soft sounds of the waves lapping at the shore in his ears, the sing song of the sparrows in the background…

It had been a year of nightmares and screams at night and moments of panic during the day, but finally Grissom believed that they both had survived. They had not escaped unscathed, but they had managed to heal and somehow he was sure that this vacation far away from anything that would remind them of their ordeal would be the closing stage of the healing process.

"I am here with you Gil and I won't disappear."

Soft words penetrated his thoughts and he looked down to meet strong and loving eyes.

"I know."

Nick smiled then and turning around towards the sea, he took a deep breath.

"I can't think of a better place to celebrate my second birthday."

Surprised at the thought, Grissom tensed, but Nick just shook his head.

"Don't Gil; it's something I understood with Dr. Kane. I can't think of the day as the day I nearly died, but if I think of it as the day I was given a second chance at live... Then I will heal."

Nick smiled and pushed himself off the wall he'd been leaning on.

"Let's unpack and go explore the island."

Grissom was still stunned at the comment, but slowly a smile spread over his face as he realized that Nick was right. It was a second chance at life and it was Grissom's job to make sure that this second chance would not be wasted.

Watching Nick as he dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, he smiled once more. He had been on this island a couple of years ago; and then he had been surprised by the one particular characteristic of the beautiful place.

This island had more than one secret spot and more than one perfect place.

But in the end it was its attitude towards people like him and Nick that had made him chose it for their vacation.

For once they would not have to hide.

---

Nick had never before been to Greece and so he was in awe as they drove through the narrow and windy road towards the town. He had seen images of Myconos, but had never believed them to be accurate, had expected them to exaggerate the beauty of the place. Now he knew that they had done the contrary. No image would ever be able to show the light and the almost magic play of water and sun and white houses that were sprinkled on the barren hills. Grissom drove them with a surprising confidence and his calmness next to him made Nick turn his head and study Gil instead of the countryside outside.

Gil had been both his rock and sanctuary this past year and Nick knew only too well that he would not have been able to recover as well as he had had it not been of him.

"We'll be there for the sun set."

Nick's body clock was still screwed but with them working nights, the ten hour time difference didn't really matter and with a light smile he realized that it was one of the few advantages of the graveyard shift. Looking at the sun, he noticed that Grissom was right and with a teasing smile he questioned his lover.

"You have this all planned out, don't you?"

Grissom smiled his trademark innocent smile and Nick quickly leaned over to kiss his cheek as Gil parked the car. Following the crowd, they walked towards the sea and once more Nick felt as if he were in a movie set as he walked past the famous windmills and got his first look at the area that the locals called ‘little Venice'. The houses stood right in the sea and were painted white like all the others, the blue and green windows stood out against the white breaking the light and shaking his head Nick turned to Grissom.

"They are incredible in copying things in Vegas, but they will never beat the real thing."

Grissom smiled and nodded while he pointed towards the bars right next to the sea.

"Let's find a table and something to drink."

Starting to walk, Nick at first didn't understand why he felt as if something were wrong, then though he stopped as if he had been running into a wall.

At some stage during their walk down to the shore, Grissom had taken his hand and was still holding it. He turned and stared at Gil who just smiled but didn't release his hand despite Nick's attempts to separate them.

"Gil, we're in public."

Gil smiled and gently grabbed Nick's other hand pulled him towards his body and to Nick's horror and silent joy, he felt Gil's lips quickly brush his.

"Look around Nicky, no one cares."

Following Gil's gesture, Nick looked around and for the first time noticed the people on the street. It wasn't peak season yet and the streets weren't packed with people and still there were enough tourists mingling around them to make him understand why Gil had chosen Myconos as their holiday destination. There were many men, many couples walking hand in hand, sit in bars and feeling both insecure and incredibly bold, Nick reached out and caressed Gil's face.

"No one cares."

His voice conveyed all the wonder and joy he felt at that simple fact and the freedom of being anonymous made him shiver with excitement. They could not be open about their relationship at work, but here. Here they would be able to hold hands and have romantic dinners and looking at Gil, he saw the deep love in the blue eyes of his lover.

"Freedom"

He could see that Gil understood what he meant as the eyes darkened for a moment, but Nick didn't want any bad memories destroying this evening and so he tugged at Gil's hand.

"Come on, let's get a drink."

They walked towards the sea and while they did Nick could see the white houses starting to glow in a golden light as the sun slowly started to set. Grissom found them a table at one of the bars and they ordered their drinks. Nick had forgotten about the other people around them as he moved on the bench so that his back was against Grissom's front and he could lean against his lover. Gil's arms came around him and something deep inside Nick snapped as complete and total happiness swamped him. It felt as if the last bit of dust and darkness that had resided in him ever since his abduction was washed away by the sunlight, the wine and the love he felt right in this moment.

"I am so thankful that you found me in time."

As soon as he had spoken those words, Nick felt Gil tense for a moment before he relaxed again. Gil didn't say anything and for a long tome they watched in silence as the sun slowly descended into the sea painting the blue water red and turning it into a sea of fire. Nick felt Gil reach around him and with a smile handed him his wine. He felt at peace and relaxed despite only having been on the island for a day and with a deep sigh he watched as the last rays of the sun disappeared leaving the sky glowing in read.

"I am thankful too."

Grissom's words were a mere whisper and Nick smiled as he realized that it really was over, that they really had survived. He closed his eyes reveling in the feeling of safety and reopened them shocked as cold salt water splashed at him. The sea had been calm before, but with the disappearance of the sun the waves had started to clash at the walls of the houses and the bars. Crinkling his nose, Nick turned around and laughed at the indignant look in Grissom's face. Feeling reckless and free, he leaned over and kissed a salty drop from Grissom's face.

"Come on, let's get something to eat."

Later that night when Grissom loved Nick, he did it with the same tenderness he had displayed when they had loved each other for the first time. He worshipped Nick's body until Nick couldn't take anymore and with his voice, body and eyes begged Gil to take him. And when he finally felt him deep inside his body, Nick took a second to thank Gil and the gods for their quiet hotel, before he forgot everything except the man who surrounded and filled him like no one else ever had.

---

Grissom noticed the looks for the first time when they got on the boat to the beach, but he didn't pay them much attention. He noticed them again later that day when they had made themselves at home in their sun chairs and this time he had felt a tingle of worry for a moment, but forgot it immediately. It wasn't until they sat in a cozy bar that same night when he understood what those looks meant. They weren't looks of disgust, but of envy not of contempt but of attraction.

Grissom felt a shiver of fear running through him as he suddenly noticed how many men were looking at Nick with open appreciation and sometimes even invitation in their eyes. He could see how some of them looked at him and probably wondered what a young and beautiful man like Nick was doing here with someone like Grissom.

"Gris, you here?"

Nick's hand briefly touched his and he met his lover's concerned eyes. A smile lit Nick's eyes and with a lightly teasing voice he asked quietly.

"You miss your bugs, don't you?"

Only Nick could tease him about his passion and still be so completely understanding about it. He shrugged a bit and Nick shook his head.

"We don't have to go to the beach every day. Why don't we drive around a bit tomorrow? I'm sure there's much to see and I bet you have a book hidden somewhere about the insects on Myconos."

It had been Nick's personality that had made him fall in love all those years ago and it was still those little things like this offer that made him fall over and over again.

"We'll do that later ok? We have ten days, but tomorrow I want to show you Delos."

Grissom hadn't finished the sentence when a third voice joined in.

"You have to go and see Delos, it is incredible."

It was the waiter, a tall bald man whose eyes now moved from Grissom to Nick and back with a friendly look and a big smile. Surprising himself and Nick, Gil answered friendlier than he normally would have.

"I know. I was there a couple of times."

The waiter leaned over the table and grinned at Nick before he whispered conspiringly.

"There's a man you have to hold onto... I was about to suggest a tour because they have this guide who's just delicious, but then having your own guide can be so much more fun, can't it?"

He winked at Nick and Grissom could see him blush. Living as they usually did, hiding their love and with no one but their closest friends knowing about them, neither Grissom nor Nick had much exposure to the gay community and the easy flirting of the waiter confused Nick completely. He recovered fast though and with a grin that resembled a cat that'd gotten both the canary and the cream, he answered with a wink.

"Well you know the good thing about private guides... they are more focused on oneself, more thorough and frankly often more hands on..."

Remembering how thorough he had mapped Nick's body only last night, Grissom blushed making their waiter laugh delightedly.

"Well honey you got it absolutely right. Now if you want something to drink just holler, else please excuse me, there are customer calling and of course I can't have my poor baby working all on his own."

He sauntered away and casually groped the other waiter as he walked past. The dark haired good looking man grinned and when he met Grissom's eyes just shook his head before he turned towards some new guests.

"I suddenly feel conservative."

Nick's words made Grissom smile and he shook his head.

"You're not love, don't worry. If you're answer is anything to go on, then you'll fit in here very well."

Nick laughed and once more Grissom could see how heads were turning not only at the sound but also at the beautiful picture Nick gave right then. He felt possessiveness wake in him, but pushed it down only to be surprised by Nick's hand on his neck as his lover pulled him closer.

"They all look at you."

At him? Grissom saw the same possessiveness and jealousy he had felt boiling in him mirrored in Nick's eyes and with a shake of his head he gave into the short kiss.

"You're mine."

Nick's words were whispered but they made him shiver and he acknowledged the ownership with a nod.

"Yours"

---

Christos had watched Joe flirt with the American couple and had inwardly smiled at his lover as the Englishman had behaved in his most outrageous way. Having a minute together alone, he leaned over and nipped at Joe's ear while silently questioning him.

"What are you up to?"

Joe turned around and now that his eyes and face were hidden from their customers, Christos could see the seriousness in his lover's eyes.

"They were not comfortable here, so I made them feel at home."

Contemplating Joe's words Christos nodded in agreement, he wasn't surprised that Joe had recognized the slight discomfort of the handsome couple, could still remember how Joe had looked when he had walked into this bar for the first time five years ago.

"Reminded you of yourself?"

His lover nodded.

"Yeah, not used to be out in public... They're both very much aware of their surroundings... not sure if they are safe."

Joe shrugged a bit, and then took a sip from his drink.

"It must be mind-blowing if you are hiding all the time and then suddenly are free to hold hands, to kiss and be yourself."

Christos heard the wistful note in Joe's words and calmly pulled his lover towards him.

"You can now."

Joe met his eyes and for a moment they just held each other. Then Joe stepped back.

"Now I can, yes..."

---